Hall of Fame postpones induction

The Mississippi Sports Hall of Fame and its board of directors announced Monday it has voted indefinitely postpone its annual Induction Weekend for the class of 2020 until a later date in 2021 can be arranged. 

The usual weekend-long event, originally scheduled for Aug. 1, includes the “Drawdown of Champions” at the museum, the “Meet the Inductees” autograph signing and the formal induction banquet and enshrinement.

“The Class of 2020 deserves to be able to celebrate this achievement with all of their supporters,” MSHOF Executive Director Bill Blackwell said. “These events typically draw anywhere from 300-800 people and we recognize that there is not a way to do that safely at this time due to the current global pandemic.”

Once rescheduled, the banquet will be the museum’s 58th. Chief sponsors Sanderson Farms and the Sanderson Farms Championship remain committed to the event, Blackwell said. With the addition of the six newest members, the Mississippi Sports Hall of Fame will include 322 athletes, coaches, journalists and more who have impacted the world of sports.

The Class of 2020 includes winningest baseball coach in Mississippi history, Jerry Boatner; PGA Golfer, Pete Brown; Alabama and NBA standout, Antonio McDyess; renowned baseball stadium architect, Janet Marie Smith; MSU’s longest-tenured athletic director, Larry Templeton; and Ole Miss and San Francisco 49ers star linebacker, Patrick Willis.